Governor says lack of strategy behind backwardness

Yasinzai says education, economy, health and justice key to development

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai has said improvement in economic, health, education and justice systems could help resolve the basic problems in Balochistan.

“A sustainable solution to the problems facing the people needs to be comprehensively planned and implemented in the context of public friendly policies and highly quality institutions of higher education,” the governor said.

He was addressing participants of the National Security Workshop Balochistan, which was held at the Quetta Club. A large number of political and social activists and educationists participated in it.

Yasinzai presented a detailed overview of the geographical, political and economic history of the province after the establishment of Pakistan and said due to various factors a feeling of deprivation continued to grow among the people of Balochistan.

"We had to wait until the end of 1970 for revocation of the One Unit that paved way for establishment of the province. However, even after Balochistan received the status of a province, it did not witness a comprehensive strategy and concrete steps to resolve the people's issues,” the governor said.

He said Balochistan stayed behind, mainly due to poverty, backwardness, illiteracy, lack of basic economic services and lack of focus on the areas of health and education.

"We must learn from past mistakes and make sure that these mistakes are not repeated," he said. Participants of the workshop asked several questions, which the governor replied in detail.

Yasinzai said the 18th constitutional amendment is of great importance with regard to the rights and sovereignty of the provinces. “But it cannot be ignored that we still do not have the capacity to deal with all the issues of the province.”

However, he said, conscientious efforts were under way and it was hoped that gradually the desired goals will be achieved.  He said since 2013, there had been improvement in the law and order situation and the security forces have played a key role in this regard.

"The full support of the people of the country is also commendable and the democratic, positive constructive role of local political organizations deserves tribute," he added.

Balochistan governor said there were some flaws in implementation of the judicial system. “However, performance of the courts has improved in the last few years in Balochistan.”

He congratulated the workshop organizers and said they should organise awareness workshop for proper strategies and exchange of information.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2019.